Bulls vs. Cavaliers: 1989 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4

Lore & Background

In the 1989 First Round, which was a best-of-5 series, the Bulls and Cavaliers played Game 5 on May 7. Despite Cleveland sweeping Chicago in the regular season, Jordan hit a shot over Craig Ehlo to win the game and advance the Bulls to play the Knicks in the next round. The Shot is remembered by Cleveland fans as part of the Cleveland sports curse, along with The Drive, The Fumble and Red Right 88.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Richfield Coliseum hung heavy with tension as the clock wound down to single digits. Jordan caught the ball at the top of the key, eyes locked on the rim while Ehlo stepped up, ready to contest anything but the impossible. As the buzzer sounded in the background, Jordan elevated, soaring higher than seemed physically possible and clearing Ehlo's defense by an inch. The ball arced perfectly before dropping through the net, silencing the crowd in that split second of suspension as history shifted forever.

Reader's Guide

The Bulls won the series 3–2. Jordan's shot came at the end of Game 5, not Game 4, and the round was the First Round, not the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Did You Know?

• The Shot was hit on May 7, 1989.
• Craig Ehlo was the defender Jordan shot over.
• The Cavaliers had swept the Bulls in the regular season that year.
• The Shot is considered part of the Cleveland sports curse.